I don't know that I saw Devin Thomas do anything extraordinarily more special today than in other games. The difference this time was that the ball was thrown in his direction on some key plays and he was able to contribute. Similarly, I realize that Cooley's injury opened up the opportunity for Fred Davis. But in the past, Cooley goes down or is out of the game whatever and those touches are usually going to someone like Betts.

It was nice to see both Thomas and Davis be a part of the offense tonight, a significant part. Sherm Lewis called the passing game today...so kudos to him for doing what Zorn hasn't consistently been able to do.

We really should activate Andre Woodson though, Campbell is one bad hit away from joining Cooley, Samuels, and Randy Thomas on the bench

Yeah I guess the positive wasnt so much Devin but actually getting the ball to Devin.

or who made the decision? I think that is an easy second guess. But had we been able to ... ... ... EXECUTE a simple snap, Gruden made it sound like a TD waiting to happen.

Well it was the same play as the TD to Thomas earlier and Thomas was once again open. I'm guessing that Zorn made the call to go for it and I'm not sure whether he made that play call or Lewis.. as hesitant as Zorn has been with running successful plays more than once a game, I'd probably say Lewis.. but who knows.

I mean you wanna put the TD on, but we were down 17 and I'll take the guaranteed 3.

Several of the youngsters did fare well at times last night, but there were so many plays left on the field due to the ineffectiveness of the OL. There were plays that would have gone for big gains had Campbell been able to get the ball off. This team can accomplish some things once the line is improved.

I thought Fred Davis demonstrated he could get into patterns and catch the ball, but still has work to do on his blocking. Time now to get Marco and some of the other young players some reps.

Davis- I think him being forced to get more catches helped. JC had to look elsewhere. Thomas-I still think he can shine. ARE- If used properly. Although getting old. Betts/Rock- I can't believe I'm saying this. They actually played better then Sellers/Portis. Betts picked up the blocks and Rock hit the holes hard and fast. D-Line- Held their own. Looked good. AH, Carter, Orakpo, Golston(sp).

Personally, I would play all the young O-lineman at this point to get them playing time and to see what they have playing against starters. Use the older guys as backups for breathers. I would start the Betts/Rock combo for the rest of the season. Use Portis sparingly or put him on injured reserve and use the new RB/FB we picked up. I would find a way to start Kelly, Thomas, and Mitchell and sit Moss or ARE, time to force JC to go to other receivers and let the young guys get their experience they need. Only use Davis for passing routes, hell even Gruden figured out Davis can't block. Time to start Tryon, Westbrook, and all the other young CB's to get them experience and see if they can play with the best.

I'd cut all the older often injured players and bring in youth at the end of the season. Tell them they practice hard, they get to play. They play preseason or they are cut.

Yeah there were some positives, this team is not without talent. I think they just lack direction and focus, mostly on offense. A quality OL would work wonders too. I think Gruden had to have been thinking last night, "yeah I can work with this bunch".

how exactly does Davis' complete and total inability to block take away from his performance? I am very happy to see him do well, but he is such a liability in pass protection that I'm not sure we can afford to have him on the field.

__________________ in writing these daily letters and trying to make them interesting it is always possible that some sentiment may occur which has not received the severe and deliberate scrutiny and reconsideration which should attach to a State Paper.
- Churchill